Wetsuit water catch device

ABSTRACT

A wetsuit has a plurality of pieces of material that are stitched or glued together to form the wetsuit, and at least one drag-creating section provided on one of the pieces of material. The drag-creating section has a plurality of water catch devices, each water catch device having a flap piece and a base portion, with a cavity defined between each flap piece and the base of the piece of material or the base portion of an adjacent water catch device. Each flap piece is constructed such that it can be expanded and collapsed to allow water to enter and leave the cavity, and the plurality of water catch devices are arranged in series immediately adjacent to each other, with the cavity of each water catch device on the piece of material opening in the same direction towards another water catch device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to wetsuits, and in particular, to three-dimensional structures that are formed integrally with the wetsuits to increase the drag forces of a swimmer, thereby providing increased forces for propelling a swimmer through the water.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the wetsuit market today, many devices have been developed that purport to increase swimming efficiency. These devices are usually added pieces of molded materials like silicone or rubber that are attached to the arm or leg by means of stitching or gluing. The three-dimensional shapes of such devices extrude from the arm or leg, thereby increasing the surface area for drag during a swimming stroke which would aid in propulsion through the water to increase swim speed. The drawback to such devices is that, while the drag is increased, the friction also increased proportionally.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is one objective of the present invention to provide a structure for use with a wetsuit that increases drag for propulsion while still minimizing friction through the water.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a structure for use with a wetsuit that allows the wetsuit design to be streamlined and light-weight, and which allows for simplified production and reduced production costs.

To accomplish the objectives set forth above, the present invention provides a wetsuit comprising a plurality of pieces of material that are stitched or glued together to form the wetsuit, and at least one drag-creating section provided on one of the pieces of material. The drag-creating section has a plurality of water catch devices, each water catch device having a flap piece and a base portion, with a cavity defined between each flap piece and the base of the piece of material or the base portion of an adjacent water catch device. Each flap piece is constructed such that it can be expanded and collapsed to allow water to enter and leave the cavity, and the plurality of water catch devices are arranged in series immediately adjacent to each other, with the cavity of each water catch device on the piece of material opening in the same direction towards another water catch device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a full body wetsuit showing the water catch devices in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a swimmer's arm showing the cavities of the water catch devices of a drag-creating section of the wetsuit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a swimmer wearing the wetsuit of FIG. 1 while swimming using a freestyle stroke

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a water catch device of the wetsuit of FIG. 1 in the collapsed configuration, together with an illustration of a swimmer's stroke.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a water catch device of the wetsuit of FIG. 1 in the opened configuration, together with an illustration of a swimmer's stroke.

FIG. 5 illustrates an arm of the wetsuit of FIG. 1 turned inside out showing how the different water catch sections are constructed and arranged together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, a wetsuit 10 is shown with a pair of arms 12 a, 12 b, a torso section 14, and a pair of legs 16 a, 16 b. The wetsuit 10 can be made in the same manner as any conventional wetsuit, using the same materials as any conventional wetsuit. For example, wetsuits can be made from multiple pieces of material, which are later stitched or glued together to form the wetsuit. The material can be any conventional material that is used for wetsuits, such as NEOPRENE™ or SPANDEX™.

A plurality of drag-creating sections are provided at different locations on the outer surface of the wetsuit. For example, a drag-creating section 18 a can be provided on the inner forearm portion of the left arm 12 a, another drag-creating section 18 b can be provided on the inner forearm portion of the right arm 12 b, yet another drag-creating section 20 a can be provided on the outer calf portion of the left leg 16 a, and a further drag-creating section 20 b can be provided on the outer calf portion of the right leg 16 b.

FIG. 2 shows the drag-creating section 18 a on the left arm 12 a. Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, each drag-creating section (e.g., 18 a) has a plurality of water catch devices 22. The drag-creating sections 18 a and 18 b are shown as having four water catch devices 22, and the drag-creating sections 20 a and 20 b are shown as having five water catch devices 22, though these numbers can be varied depending on the length of the arms and legs, the weight and/or height of the swimmer, intended use of the wetsuit (swimming, surfing or diving), the style of stroke, and other environmental factors (e.g., swimming conditions such as swimming in a pool or open water where there are currents, current flow directions, etc.).

Each water catch device 22 is created by providing a flexible panel 26 that covers the base 24 or a base portion 26 b of another panel 26 in a manner which defines a cavity 28 therebetween. More specifically, each panel 26 can have three portions, a flexible flap piece 26 a, a base portion 26 b, and an inter-joining section 26 c between the flap piece 26 a and the base portion 26 b, as best shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The proximal-most panel 26 can be stitched to the base 24, and the next adjacent panel 26 can have its cavity 28 opening towards the rear of the previous (proximal) panel 26 in a manner where the panel 26 is stitched (by stitching 30) or otherwise connected to the base portion 26 b of the previous (proximal) flap piece 26. In this manner, the water catch devices 22 on each drag-creating section are arranged directly adjacent each other (i.e., one directly behind the other in series). As used herein, “distal” is closer to the hands or feet, with “proximal” being closer to the torso.

The flap piece 26 a is constructed such that it can be expanded and collapsed to allow water to enter and leave the cavity 28. This is facilitated by providing the surface area of the flap piece 26 a to be greater than the surface area of the underlying base 24 or base portion 26 b so that the flap piece 26 a can expand. The flap piece 26 a can be moved between the collapsed configuration (see FIG. 4A) where it is generally flat adjacent the underlying base 24 or base portion 26 b, and an expanded configuration (see FIG. 4B) in which it stretches away from the underlying base 24 or base portion 26 b.

The flap pieces 26 a assist the swimmer (wearing the wetsuit 10) in generating drag, while minimizing undesirable friction. For example, in a swim stroke for the freestyle stroke (see FIGS. 3 and 4A), when the arm enters the water, the water catch devices 22 are moving in a first direction where the streamlined orientation of the flap piece 26 a will enable it to stay flat due to water pressure (i.e., water pushing against the outer surface of the flap piece 26 a), thereby keeping friction through the water at a minimum. Conversely, during the pull phase of the freestyle stroke (see FIG. 4B), the water catch devices 22 are moving in a second opposite direction where the water flows into the cavities 28, thereby increasing the surface area of the water catch devices 22 exposed to the water and provides additional drag on the arms and legs.

The water catch devices 22 are oriented on the arms and legs of the wetsuit 10 in a manner to provide additional drag only during portions of a stroke where the swimmer's arms and legs are moving in a rearward direction, thereby providing propulsion through the water in a forward direction. For example, the water catch devices 22 for the arms 12 a, 12 b in FIG. 1 are all oriented with the cavities 28 opening towards the lower back of the body, and the water catch devices 22 for the legs 16 a, 16 b oriented with the cavities 28 opening towards the lower front of the body. Such an orientation is best suited for use in a freestyle stroke.

The structure and arrangement of the drag-creating sections and their water catch devices 22 allows for the provision of a wetsuit that helps to increase drag for propulsion while still minimizing friction through the water, and a wetsuit design that can be streamlined and light-weight, and which allows for simplified production and reduced production costs. In particular, each drag-creating section has a plurality of water catch devices 22 that are arranged (in series) one immediately behind the other. This arrangement allows less material to be used for the wetsuit 10 as each panel 26 itself defines a cavity 28 and a base portion 26 b. Less material used means less material waste, and reduces the stitching area as well. In addition, this arrangement provides a clearer and slicker outer surface as the stitching 30 is not visible from the exterior, thereby helping to reduce friction and providing a more streamlined wetsuit outer surface.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. 

1. A wetsuit, comprising: a plurality of pieces of material that are stitched or glued together to form the wetsuit; and at least one drag-creating section provided on one of the pieces of material that has a base, the drag-creating section having a plurality of water catch devices, each water catch device having a flap piece and a base portion, with a cavity defined between each flap piece and the base of the piece of material or the base portion of an adjacent water catch device, each flap piece constructed such that it can be expanded and collapsed to allow water to enter and leave the cavity; and wherein the plurality of water catch devices are arranged in series immediately adjacent to each other, with the cavity of each water catch device on the piece of material opening in the same direction towards another water catch device.
 2. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein the surface area of the flap piece is greater than the surface area of the underlying base of the piece of material or the underlying base portion.
 3. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein the flap piece is moved between a collapsed configuration where it is generally flat adjacent the underlying base of the piece of material or the underlying base portion, and an expanded configuration in which it stretches away from the underlying base of the piece of material or the underlying base portion.
 4. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of water catch devices includes a first proximal-most water catch device that is stitched to the base of the piece of material, a second water catch device positioned directly adjacent the first water catch device with the cavity of the second water catch device opening towards the rear of the first water catch device and with the second water catch device stitched to the base portion of the first water catch device.
 5. The wetsuit of claim 4, wherein the plurality of water catch devices includes a third water catch device that is stitched to the base portion of the second water catch device, a third water catch device positioned directly adjacent the second water catch device with the cavity of the third water catch device opening towards the rear of the second water catch device.
 6. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein each water catch device further includes an inter-joining section between the flap piece and the base portions.
 7. The wetsuit of claim 1, wherein the piece of material is a first arm piece of material and the at least one drag-creating section is a first drag-creating section, the plurality of pieces of material further including a second arm piece of material, and the at least one drag-creating section includes a second drag-creating section provided on the second arm piece of material, the second drag-creating section having a plurality of water catch devices that are arranged in series immediately adjacent to each other.
 8. A wetsuit, comprising: a plurality of pieces of material that are stitched or glued together to form the wetsuit; and at least one drag-creating section provided on one of the pieces of material that has a base, the drag-creating section having a plurality of water catch devices, each water catch device having a flap piece and a base portion, with a cavity defined between each flap piece and the base of the piece of material or the base portion of an adjacent water catch device, each flap piece constructed such that it can be expanded and collapsed to allow water to enter and leave the cavity, and with the surface area of the flap piece being greater than the surface area of the underlying base of the piece of material or the underlying base portion; wherein the plurality of water catch devices are arranged in series immediately adjacent to each other, with the cavity of each water catch device on the piece of material opening in the same direction towards another water catch device; wherein the flap piece is moved between a collapsed configuration where it is generally flat adjacent the underlying base of the piece of material or the underlying base portion, and an expanded configuration in which it stretches away from the underlying base of the piece of material or the underlying base portion; and wherein the plurality of water catch devices includes a first proximal-most water catch device that is stitched to the base of the piece of material, a second water catch device positioned directly adjacent the first water catch device with the cavity of the second water catch device opening towards the rear of the first water catch device and with the second water catch device stitched to the base portion of the first water catch device.
 9. The wetsuit of claim 8, wherein the plurality of water catch devices includes a third water catch device that is stitched to the base portion of the second water catch device, a third water catch device positioned directly adjacent the second water catch device with the cavity of the third water catch device opening towards the rear of the second water catch device.
 10. The wetsuit of claim 8, wherein each water catch device further includes an inter-joining section between the flap piece and the base portions. 